Comparison

Dotly vs Quicknotes Journal

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Dotly

Features
Read full description

Dotly — capture to Workflowy in seconds. A fleeting thought. A sudden idea. A task you can't afford to forget. Dotly helps you capture it instantly and send it straight to Workflowy. Whether you're offline or on the move, Dotly keeps your thoughts safe until you're ready to sync. Designed for speed and calm, it brings the art of writing and the beauty of structure together — in one elegant flow. Features: - Instant Capture: Add notes, ideas, or reminders to Workflowy in seconds. No friction, no fuss. - Offline Outbox: Write anytime, anywhere. Dotly queues your notes and syncs automatically when you're back online. - Minimal Design: A clean, fluid interface that keeps you focused on what matters: your thoughts. - Smart Shortcuts: Capture with a single tap from widgets or keyboard shortcuts. Send instantly, stay in the flow. - History: Review everything you've sent. Your capture timeline, always accessible. - Custom Settings: Choose how and where your dots land inside Workflowy. - Cross-Platform: Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. One purchase unlocks all platforms. Dotly is for thinkers, creators, and builders — for anyone who believes that every great project begins with a single thought. Download Dotly and start capturing.

About

Quicknotes Journal

Read full description

QuickNotes Journal is a simple, private journaling app designed to keep your thoughts organized and completely under your control. All entries are stored locally on your device. There are no accounts, no cloud sync, and no data collection. Your journal stays with you. Key Features • Create and edit journal entries quickly with text, photos, and audio • Organize entries using customizable tags and topics • Search and filter entries by date, text, or tag • View detailed insights into writing habits, streaks, and milestones • Clean, focused layout with simple navigation across entries and stats • Export your journal anytime to TXT, CSV, or JSON • Backup and restore data locally with full ownership of your data • Optional one-time purchase for advanced statistics (no subscriptions) Privacy First by Design QuickNotes Journal works entirely offline. Your data never leaves your device. No logins, no cloud servers, and no third-party analytics. Simple and Focused The interface is built to stay out of the way so you can focus on writing. Whether you log quick notes, track daily habits, or keep an offline work diary, QuickNotes Journal keeps things straightforward and reliable. Built for Long-Term Use Your entries are stored in a fast local database and remain accessible even if you migrate devices using your manual backups. You control your data at every step. QuickNotes Journal is ideal for anyone who wants a fast, private, and dependable journaling experience without unnecessary complexity or recurring fees.

Screenshots

Dotly4 screens
Quicknotes Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Quicknotes Journal at every 3 weeks against Dotly's every 5 weeks. Quicknotes Journal also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Dotly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Quicknotes Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dotly ships an update every 5 weeks, Quicknotes Journal every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
Dotly versus Quicknotes Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDotlyQuicknotes Journal
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAndriy BezemchukRyan Bair

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Dotly

One-time1
  • Dotly Pro (Lifetime)$2.99
1 purchases

Quicknotes Journal

One-time1
  • Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Dotly free?
Dotly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Quicknotes Journal free?
Quicknotes Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Dotly or Quicknotes Journal have ads?
Neither Dotly nor Quicknotes Journal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dotly or Quicknotes Journal?
Dotly ships an update every 5 weeks, and Quicknotes Journal every 3 weeks. Most recently, Dotly was updated on October 6, 2026 and Quicknotes Journal on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons